2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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jonkranked
Posts
1200
Joined
5/5/2016
Location
Norristown, PA US
6/12/2026 9:02am
AJW1 wrote:
One of the things that came up in discussion is how absolutely insane the new generation of riders are. They are SO fast. They are SO...

One of the things that came up in discussion is how absolutely insane the new generation of riders are. They are SO fast. They are SO good in their training. They are SO dialed in their nutrition and recovery. The guest made a point to bring up an interesting-to-me factoid:

They can't let the younger riders anywhere near the big-name riders during team training rides.

None of them know how to ride in a peloton. They don't know to not overlap wheels. They don't know how to ride predictably. They don't know how to brake smoothly. They don't know how to pull through. They don't know how to ride a sweeping corner. They don't know how to set up for a tight corner. They don't know how to behave in critical moments and they don't know how to behave in the less intense stretches of racing.

Something similar has been happening for years - new up and comers are picked on their stats rather than their racecraft/ability.

Here's the tech tie in - every man and his dog can get a power meter, heart rate monitor for essentially nothing, log every metric of every ride. Your head unit can guide the average amateur through individually tailored workouts that would have been unthinkable and unmeasureable a couple of decades ago. Fairly minor effort and outlay can get you a VO2 max test and more.

Hell didn't someone get a (low level) pro contract based purely on their Zwift racing?

back in the day - and this probably is only as far back as the older current active pros - this wasnt available and you showed you were good at racing... by being good at racing.

mickey wrote:
You want to feel sick to your stomach?  USAC asks xc/cx/road juniors to give them access to their Training Peaks accounts so that some ai-obsessed vulture...

You want to feel sick to your stomach?  USAC asks xc/cx/road juniors to give them access to their Training Peaks accounts so that some ai-obsessed vulture of a coach can identify riders for development programs based on training metrics.. because there are so few opportunities for young athletes to compete in the United States.

“Performance Oriented” national governing body philosophy was pushed on us by the Walton family  when they took over USAC.   We used to operate on a “developmental” model that you know… prioritized local, regional and national racing experience.   Now we are sending kids with decent w/kg straight into the fray, whether or not they can drive a bike or read a race.   
Until USAC is reformed, America buke racing will continue to suffer on a local, regional and national level… Unless you are born in Durango, then you’re gonna be fine.

Tangentially related the son of the shop owner I used to wrench for is now on ineos grenadiers. Kid grew up with access to the best cycling equipment he could want. 

1
1
6/12/2026 9:12am
jonkranked wrote:
Tangentially related the son of the shop owner I used to wrench for is now on ineos grenadiers. Kid grew up with access to the best...

Tangentially related the son of the shop owner I used to wrench for is now on ineos grenadiers. Kid grew up with access to the best cycling equipment he could want. 

point of order...

*Netcompany INEOS

5
Eae903
Posts
421
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Laramie, WY US
Fantasy
6/12/2026 3:35pm Edited Date/Time 6/12/2026 3:36pm
jonkranked wrote:
Tangentially related the son of the shop owner I used to wrench for is now on ineos grenadiers. Kid grew up with access to the best...

Tangentially related the son of the shop owner I used to wrench for is now on ineos grenadiers. Kid grew up with access to the best cycling equipment he could want. 

t.odd wrote:

point of order...

*Netcompany INEOS

Nah man, Ineos Grenadiers, just like it's Jumbo Visma, Bora Hansgroh, and Trek-Segafredo 

4
Etney
Posts
117
Joined
12/23/2024
Location
Frankfurt DE
6/12/2026 3:59pm

Seems like sram has a new dropper lever+flight attendant button combo. Comes on the new scott spark models that has flight attendant but no axs dropper. For example, Specializeds Epic 8/9 pro models with flight attendant and wired dropper, just comes without a pod for the flight attendant, which I always thought was strange. 
 

image0.jpeg?VersionId=fiicOfcJpJOas14Krq5BVCpShF
 

6
boozed
Posts
684
Joined
6/11/2019
Location
AU
6/12/2026 4:46pm Edited Date/Time 6/12/2026 4:55pm
AJW1 wrote:
One of the things that came up in discussion is how absolutely insane the new generation of riders are. They are SO fast. They are SO...

One of the things that came up in discussion is how absolutely insane the new generation of riders are. They are SO fast. They are SO good in their training. They are SO dialed in their nutrition and recovery. The guest made a point to bring up an interesting-to-me factoid:

They can't let the younger riders anywhere near the big-name riders during team training rides.

None of them know how to ride in a peloton. They don't know to not overlap wheels. They don't know how to ride predictably. They don't know how to brake smoothly. They don't know how to pull through. They don't know how to ride a sweeping corner. They don't know how to set up for a tight corner. They don't know how to behave in critical moments and they don't know how to behave in the less intense stretches of racing.

Something similar has been happening for years - new up and comers are picked on their stats rather than their racecraft/ability.

Here's the tech tie in - every man and his dog can get a power meter, heart rate monitor for essentially nothing, log every metric of every ride. Your head unit can guide the average amateur through individually tailored workouts that would have been unthinkable and unmeasureable a couple of decades ago. Fairly minor effort and outlay can get you a VO2 max test and more.

Hell didn't someone get a (low level) pro contract based purely on their Zwift racing?

back in the day - and this probably is only as far back as the older current active pros - this wasnt available and you showed you were good at racing... by being good at racing.

Hey, even two-time XCO overall winner Cadel Evans took a while to get comfortable riding in the bunch and then look what happened.

Jay Vine comes to mind as the rider who was picked up based on his Zwift performances and he's been pretty successful.  I'm sure he isn't alone.

1
dolface
Posts
1685
Joined
10/26/2015
Location
CA US
6/12/2026 6:26pm
AJW1 wrote:
One of the things that came up in discussion is how absolutely insane the new generation of riders are. They are SO fast. They are SO...

One of the things that came up in discussion is how absolutely insane the new generation of riders are. They are SO fast. They are SO good in their training. They are SO dialed in their nutrition and recovery. The guest made a point to bring up an interesting-to-me factoid:

They can't let the younger riders anywhere near the big-name riders during team training rides.

None of them know how to ride in a peloton. They don't know to not overlap wheels. They don't know how to ride predictably. They don't know how to brake smoothly. They don't know how to pull through. They don't know how to ride a sweeping corner. They don't know how to set up for a tight corner. They don't know how to behave in critical moments and they don't know how to behave in the less intense stretches of racing.

Something similar has been happening for years - new up and comers are picked on their stats rather than their racecraft/ability.

Here's the tech tie in - every man and his dog can get a power meter, heart rate monitor for essentially nothing, log every metric of every ride. Your head unit can guide the average amateur through individually tailored workouts that would have been unthinkable and unmeasureable a couple of decades ago. Fairly minor effort and outlay can get you a VO2 max test and more.

Hell didn't someone get a (low level) pro contract based purely on their Zwift racing?

back in the day - and this probably is only as far back as the older current active pros - this wasnt available and you showed you were good at racing... by being good at racing.

You thinking of Jay Vine? Not a low-level contract though, he's on UAE's A-squad.

1
6/12/2026 9:46pm

Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today. Guys like Luke-MS on Giant and Ryan G of Yeti in enduro, and other random bikes in pit videos. What could the explanation for this be? For all intents and purposes, the M9220 is a better, updated version, so what reasons could there be not to make the swap? 

Like, when Mavens came out, it felt overnight that everyone was using them, and we haven't (and won't) see a Code RSC on any of those bikes ever again. 

4
Etney
Posts
117
Joined
12/23/2024
Location
Frankfurt DE
6/13/2026 12:27am
Etney wrote:
Seems like sram has a new dropper lever+flight attendant button combo. Comes on the new scott spark models that has flight attendant but no axs dropper...

Seems like sram has a new dropper lever+flight attendant button combo. Comes on the new scott spark models that has flight attendant but no axs dropper. For example, Specializeds Epic 8/9 pro models with flight attendant and wired dropper, just comes without a pod for the flight attendant, which I always thought was strange. 
 

image0.jpeg?VersionId=fiicOfcJpJOas14Krq5BVCpShF
 

Found another pic. Seems to be a two-part solution from Sram. So a button to control the FA; with a matchmaker mount so you can mount any mechanical dropper lever combined with it. Guessing some XC people might be interested in this, wanting to run a lighter dropper but still run FA

336382c0fa87c25d3d0a781756e077cf

1
Finkill
Posts
235
Joined
9/2/2015
Location
GB
6/13/2026 1:27am Edited Date/Time 6/13/2026 1:33am
Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today...

Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today. Guys like Luke-MS on Giant and Ryan G of Yeti in enduro, and other random bikes in pit videos. What could the explanation for this be? For all intents and purposes, the M9220 is a better, updated version, so what reasons could there be not to make the swap? 

Like, when Mavens came out, it felt overnight that everyone was using them, and we haven't (and won't) see a Code RSC on any of those bikes ever again. 

The M9220 has a lever which sits at a slight upswept angle to the bar, why I always thought was a bit weird. Maybe the riders prefer the flat lever shape of the M9120. 

DServy
Posts
246
Joined
5/28/2015
Location
Jackson, WY US
1 day ago
Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today...

Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today. Guys like Luke-MS on Giant and Ryan G of Yeti in enduro, and other random bikes in pit videos. What could the explanation for this be? For all intents and purposes, the M9220 is a better, updated version, so what reasons could there be not to make the swap? 

Like, when Mavens came out, it felt overnight that everyone was using them, and we haven't (and won't) see a Code RSC on any of those bikes ever again. 

That's also because Codes were god awful and the sram riders were so happy to get on an actual brake.

I recently felt some older codes on some bikes I was dealing with and they were shockingly worse than I remembered. Say what you will about Shimano brakes, but they've been consistently good for a while. 

10
HexonJuan
Posts
394
Joined
6/10/2015
Location
WI US
1 day ago
Domi M4. Mineral oil all but confirmed?

Domi M4. Mineral oil all but confirmed?

Not a fan of the ID on that one. Makes me wanna get googly eye stickers and slap em on the piston bore surfaces. But now that I type that, I'm inclined to buy em just for that. Just hope they don't use the Venom oil they had with their first foray into mineral oil. That stuff was a beeeeach to clean off.

2supple
Posts
106
Joined
1/23/2022
Location
Denver, CO US
1 day ago
saskskier wrote:
The etiquette piece might be my single biggest grievance from the ebike crowd. I'm a big guy and climbing is not my strength, so I have PLENTY...

The etiquette piece might be my single biggest grievance from the ebike crowd. 

I'm a big guy and climbing is not my strength, so I have PLENTY of experience with being passed on the uptrails by both regular and ebike riders. The ebike riders are exponentially worse at saying excuse me, on your left, or simply making some noise to let you know they're behind you. I've even seen groups of ebike riders talking and laughing about how fast they're cruising past other riders at the top of the climb. These aren't new riders. 

At the end of the day, I (mostly) don't care what you ride, as long as you aren't inconsiderate on the trails. Ebike riders are demonstrably worse in this regard in my particular trail network.

As a mostly analogue rider who also has an ebike, I was surprised at how rude, even nasty, a lot of guys on regular bikes are—even when you're as polite as possible trying to pass them on an ebike. Before I had an ebike, my buddies and I would kind of snicker at ebikers after they passed, but never to their face. I figured I'd see some of this once I got one, but I was surprised at how rude some "analogue" riders are for no reason, and how often it happens. It's pretty much an every-other-ride occurrence, which is wild. Every time I pull out the ebike, I have to program myself to be extra non-confrontational and extra polite. I've talked to other riders who've had the same experience.

I guess my point is that it cuts both ways. Unfortunately, there are just rude people out there regardless of how polite you try to be when you're on an ebike. 

6
2
seanfisseli
Posts
584
Joined
4/16/2024
Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
1 day ago
saskskier wrote:
The etiquette piece might be my single biggest grievance from the ebike crowd. I'm a big guy and climbing is not my strength, so I have PLENTY...

The etiquette piece might be my single biggest grievance from the ebike crowd. 

I'm a big guy and climbing is not my strength, so I have PLENTY of experience with being passed on the uptrails by both regular and ebike riders. The ebike riders are exponentially worse at saying excuse me, on your left, or simply making some noise to let you know they're behind you. I've even seen groups of ebike riders talking and laughing about how fast they're cruising past other riders at the top of the climb. These aren't new riders. 

At the end of the day, I (mostly) don't care what you ride, as long as you aren't inconsiderate on the trails. Ebike riders are demonstrably worse in this regard in my particular trail network.

2supple wrote:
As a mostly analogue rider who also has an ebike, I was surprised at how rude, even nasty, a lot of guys on regular bikes are—even...

As a mostly analogue rider who also has an ebike, I was surprised at how rude, even nasty, a lot of guys on regular bikes are—even when you're as polite as possible trying to pass them on an ebike. Before I had an ebike, my buddies and I would kind of snicker at ebikers after they passed, but never to their face. I figured I'd see some of this once I got one, but I was surprised at how rude some "analogue" riders are for no reason, and how often it happens. It's pretty much an every-other-ride occurrence, which is wild. Every time I pull out the ebike, I have to program myself to be extra non-confrontational and extra polite. I've talked to other riders who've had the same experience.

I guess my point is that it cuts both ways. Unfortunately, there are just rude people out there regardless of how polite you try to be when you're on an ebike. 

I’ve watched my friend get pushed into a tree and also pushed off the trail. Two different e-bikers on the same ride. He doesn’t like e-bikes and now I get it. You may not realize the precedent that other ebike riders have set before you cross paths with an analog rider 

3
slimshady
Posts
152
Joined
9/16/2011
Location
AR
1 day ago

Excuse my French, but could we fucking  please stop calling bikes "analog", "acoustic", or -the worst I've heard- "bio"?

Bikes are bikes. Ebikes are something else.

Now get off my fucking lawn you punks!

1000100067
52
1
1 day ago
Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today...

Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today. Guys like Luke-MS on Giant and Ryan G of Yeti in enduro, and other random bikes in pit videos. What could the explanation for this be? For all intents and purposes, the M9220 is a better, updated version, so what reasons could there be not to make the swap? 

Like, when Mavens came out, it felt overnight that everyone was using them, and we haven't (and won't) see a Code RSC on any of those bikes ever again. 

I recently picked up an epic evo with codes on it, and was like holy fuck how did we ride these on DH/enduro bikes it can barely slow down this 28 lb XC bike on hiking trails. Came home and put some dominions on the next day.  

It’s honestly more shocking that a few people didn’t switch over mid season. 

3
monarchmason
Posts
307
Joined
5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA US
1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago
slimshady wrote:
Excuse my French, but could we fucking  please stop calling bikes "analog", "acoustic", or -the worst I've heard- "bio"?Bikes are bikes. Ebikes are something else.Now get...

Excuse my French, but could we fucking  please stop calling bikes "analog", "acoustic", or -the worst I've heard- "bio"?

Bikes are bikes. Ebikes are something else.

Now get off my fucking lawn you punks!

1000100067

Yeah the terms are disgusting. I call normal bike “free-range-non-gmo-organic-grass-finished bikes.”

9
2
sethimus
Posts
905
Joined
9/20/2014
Location
CH
1 day ago
slimshady wrote:
Excuse my French, but could we fucking  please stop calling bikes "analog", "acoustic", or -the worst I've heard- "bio"?Bikes are bikes. Ebikes are something else.Now get...

Excuse my French, but could we fucking  please stop calling bikes "analog", "acoustic", or -the worst I've heard- "bio"?

Bikes are bikes. Ebikes are something else.

Now get off my fucking lawn you punks!

1000100067

amish biker says what?

1
1
1 day ago
Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today...

Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today. Guys like Luke-MS on Giant and Ryan G of Yeti in enduro, and other random bikes in pit videos. What could the explanation for this be? For all intents and purposes, the M9220 is a better, updated version, so what reasons could there be not to make the swap? 

Like, when Mavens came out, it felt overnight that everyone was using them, and we haven't (and won't) see a Code RSC on any of those bikes ever again. 

DServy wrote:
That's also because Codes were god awful and the sram riders were so happy to get on an actual brake.I recently felt some older codes on...

That's also because Codes were god awful and the sram riders were so happy to get on an actual brake.

I recently felt some older codes on some bikes I was dealing with and they were shockingly worse than I remembered. Say what you will about Shimano brakes, but they've been consistently good for a while. 

I did not actually know how bad the Codes on my V10 were until I replaced them with GR4s

3
slimshady
Posts
152
Joined
9/16/2011
Location
AR
1 day ago
slimshady wrote:
Excuse my French, but could we fucking  please stop calling bikes "analog", "acoustic", or -the worst I've heard- "bio"?Bikes are bikes. Ebikes are something else.Now get...

Excuse my French, but could we fucking  please stop calling bikes "analog", "acoustic", or -the worst I've heard- "bio"?

Bikes are bikes. Ebikes are something else.

Now get off my fucking lawn you punks!

1000100067
sethimus wrote:

amish biker says what?

Mitosis bike or nothing.

1
Ervin321
Posts
14
Joined
7/3/2025
Location
San Francisco , CA US
1 day ago
Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today...

Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today. Guys like Luke-MS on Giant and Ryan G of Yeti in enduro, and other random bikes in pit videos. What could the explanation for this be? For all intents and purposes, the M9220 is a better, updated version, so what reasons could there be not to make the swap? 

Like, when Mavens came out, it felt overnight that everyone was using them, and we haven't (and won't) see a Code RSC on any of those bikes ever again. 

I recently picked up an epic evo with codes on it, and was like holy fuck how did we ride these on DH/enduro bikes it can...

I recently picked up an epic evo with codes on it, and was like holy fuck how did we ride these on DH/enduro bikes it can barely slow down this 28 lb XC bike on hiking trails. Came home and put some dominions on the next day.  

It’s honestly more shocking that a few people didn’t switch over mid season. 

Rode codes on a park rental last month, good bleed, 220 front rotor, but they just require so much more force at the lever to get the power needed compared Shimanos or mavens. Most cooked my hands/arms have been in a long time. 

3
MrDuck
Posts
74
Joined
2/2/2021
Location
CA
1 day ago
Ervin321 wrote:
Rode codes on a park rental last month, good bleed, 220 front rotor, but they just require so much more force at the lever to get...

Rode codes on a park rental last month, good bleed, 220 front rotor, but they just require so much more force at the lever to get the power needed compared Shimanos or mavens. Most cooked my hands/arms have been in a long time. 

'Member when people said RSC is better than Saint? I 'member.

Guess SRAM had to make an actually good brake for code users to come to terms with the fact they aren't very good brakes 🤔

1
1 day ago
Finkill wrote:
The M9220 has a lever which sits at a slight upswept angle to the bar, why I always thought was a bit weird. Maybe the riders...

The M9220 has a lever which sits at a slight upswept angle to the bar, why I always thought was a bit weird. Maybe the riders prefer the flat lever shape of the M9120. 

Yea, that's true, but the M8220 XT lever doesn't, and I'm pretty sure otherwise they are identical to the M9220. Could run that with the new mineral oil and essentially have the new set up. 

1
yzedf
Posts
256
Joined
1/27/2015
Location
Hebron, CT US
Fantasy
1 day ago
MrDuck wrote:
'Member when people said RSC is better than Saint? I 'member.Guess SRAM had to make an actually good brake for code users to come to terms...

'Member when people said RSC is better than Saint? I 'member.

Guess SRAM had to make an actually good brake for code users to come to terms with the fact they aren't very good brakes 🤔

My 2017 Kona Operator came with SRAM Guide R brakes. Codes were amazing in comparison to those. 

5
1 day ago
Ervin321 wrote:
Rode codes on a park rental last month, good bleed, 220 front rotor, but they just require so much more force at the lever to get...

Rode codes on a park rental last month, good bleed, 220 front rotor, but they just require so much more force at the lever to get the power needed compared Shimanos or mavens. Most cooked my hands/arms have been in a long time. 

MrDuck wrote:
'Member when people said RSC is better than Saint? I 'member.Guess SRAM had to make an actually good brake for code users to come to terms...

'Member when people said RSC is better than Saint? I 'member.

Guess SRAM had to make an actually good brake for code users to come to terms with the fact they aren't very good brakes 🤔

I think they were...for the time though. Remember the Code RSC was launched in 2017. Before the Hayes Dominion, TRP DH-R Evo/Evo Pro, Hope T4V4. This was Shimano Saint, and TRP Quadiem times people 

1
6
seanfisseli
Posts
584
Joined
4/16/2024
Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
1 day ago

I like my codes. They slow me down. And by that I mean I can’t stop. 🤘 

6
Eae903
Posts
421
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Laramie, WY US
Fantasy
1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago
I think they were...for the time though. Remember the Code RSC was launched in 2017. Before the Hayes Dominion, TRP DH-R Evo/Evo Pro, Hope T4V4. This...

I think they were...for the time though. Remember the Code RSC was launched in 2017. Before the Hayes Dominion, TRP DH-R Evo/Evo Pro, Hope T4V4. This was Shimano Saint, and TRP Quadiem times people 

But the Saints were and are better than the Codes, and they haven't changed since 2012 

5
ebikeluver
Posts
40
Joined
7/16/2025
Location
Terrace, BC CA
1 day ago

Saints are still right up there with the best for power.  Racing codes must have been a huge disadvantage. 

1
1
1 day ago
Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today...

Last fall, I noticed that some Shimano factory-supported teams had riders still rocking the M9120 lever over the new M9220, and I'm still seeing it today. Guys like Luke-MS on Giant and Ryan G of Yeti in enduro, and other random bikes in pit videos. What could the explanation for this be? For all intents and purposes, the M9220 is a better, updated version, so what reasons could there be not to make the swap? 

Like, when Mavens came out, it felt overnight that everyone was using them, and we haven't (and won't) see a Code RSC on any of those bikes ever again. 

I'd guess personal preference, Shimano not pressuring riders to run specific products, and having a variety of reliable options to choose from rather than going from a brake that barely works to an absolute monster. In theory, you'd assume that Shimano would want everyone on Saint brakes for dh, but you only see a handful of riders running them anymore. Then there were the handful of riders mixing XTR with Saint for the feel. 

My understanding is that Sram wasn't happy that so many riders didn't switch over to the Pods when they were released, and people were internally motivated to make the switch sooner than later. Now you'd be hard-pressed to find any higher-profile Sram rider on the original AXS shifter. I'll exclude Jordan Williams from the list only because the Gravity team isn't a "Sram" team.

How many Magura riders are running Gustavs? Are there any major teams running Magura? All the Magura sponsored riders I know either never made the switch, or went back to the MT7. 

On another note, Richie Rude said on WynTV that he's on a new, bigger bike. So... should mean a new mold. Shall we raise our hopes that we may see the Yeti DH for sale in limited numbers before 2030? 😆

1
1 day ago

unsure if been posted but that saint derailleur and Direct-mount Crank looks production ready.
Surely that derailleur has a clutch.................

saint-rd-g8000-fm-g8000
Saint
6

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